From your large scale print, batting, and backing, cut a piece 3 inches taller and wider than your binder. It will shrink up a bit when quilted. (My binder measures 11 1/2 x 24. Yours may vary!)

From the charm pack, cut strips 1 1/2 inch wide x 5 inches. (I used about 46 pieces for mine.) You can leave the pinked ends on them. They will be trimmed later.
Sew your first two 1 1/2 x 5 inch pieces together as shown in the photo.
Continue to add 1 1/2 strips until your braid piece is longer than the width of your large scale print piece.
Trim the uneven edges as shown.

Cut both ends of your braid piece straight, leaving them a little longer than needed.
Sew the ric rac on the long sides, 1/4 inch from the edge.
Press, turning raw edges under.
Pin the bottom edge of the braid piece 2 inches from the bottom edge of the large scale print.
Topstitch both long edges to the large print piece.
Layer your backing, batting, and top and quilt as desired. I just did a quick meander, and left the braid section unquilted.
Carefully measure your binder and cut your quilted piece 1 inch taller and 1 inch wider than the binder.
You now have a cute little mini quilt!
Cut your pockets the height of your quilted piece by 16 inches. Fold in half so the piece is 8 inches wide and press. Pin the pockets to the back of your quilted piece as shown.
The fold should be to the center.
Stitch the pockets down a scant 1/4 inch on three sides, leaving one side open for the binder.

Slide the binder into the pockets. At this point, you can adjust the size if the quilted piece is too loose. The binding will tighten it up just a bit, so don’t make it too tight. (Ask me how I know this!!!)

Cut your binding 2 1/4 wide and press. Sew binding to the quilt cover. Hand stitch your binding to the back side.
Slide your binder into your cover. Sit back and marvel at how cool it is!!!
I purchased photo pocket pages for mine and I’m using it for a wedding shower gift.

There are a million ways to jazz up those binders. All you need is a quilt the size of your binder. It could be pieced, appliqued, embroidered, monogrammed. Just use your imagination! If you send me photos, I’d love to feature them on my blog!

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0 comments to Funky Quilted Binder Cover

I made fabric covered binders for photo albums when my girls were little (in the 80’s, yikes!) but never saw one so cool as this with the braid trim and the binding edge. Thanks for showing us how to do that. This project looks wonderful!

I really wish there was more on the braided piece. You lost me at “continue to add”…I saw how the first piece was made. So how do you sew the other pieces onto this one? Not clear enough for a beginner to follow along. Bummer, I really liked this one; but I know I’ll never figure out how the other pieces are added on. =(

I had a friend make me something similar with handle on it (carries more like a purse). We put pencil bags in it and store knitting needles by sizes in them. Adorable! I love the braid and ric rac on yours. Thanks for such a great tut!

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The individual designers featured on this website ultimately hold the copyright for their projects and designs posted on the Moda Bake Shop. Patterns are not intended for sale or digital distribution. All items made from Moda Bake Shop patterns are for personal, non-commercial use only, unless given explicit written permission from the design owner to sell finished products made from their pattern tutorials featured on the Moda Bake Shop.